Best Time to Visit Matsue, Shimane Prefecture, Japan
Month-by-month climate guide for planning a trip to Matsue.
Matsue does not have a month that clearly fits our sunny profiles. Its practical travel window centres on its warmest (August, 26.8°C / 80.2°F) and driest (December, 94 mm / 3.7 in) months. The drier stretch runs through November–May; the wetter half falls in June–October. At the city itself, monthly average temperatures range from 4.1°C / 39.4°F in January to 26.8°C / 80.2°F in August, with rainfall from 94 mm / 3.7 in (December) to 198 mm / 7.8 in (September). These are point-value climate normals sampled at Matsue, Shimane Prefecture, Japan's coordinates — usually more actionable for travellers than the country-wide average. Matsue's climate is broadly seasonal. The full month-by-month table below lets you match your travel window against our five weather profiles.
Recommended months
| Month | Temp | Rain | Feels like |
|---|---|---|---|
| August | 26.8°C80.2°F | 120 mm4.7″ | — |
| May | 17.6°C63.7°F | 111 mm4.4″ | — |
| October | 16.7°C62.1°F | 122 mm4.8″ | — |
No month at Matsue matches our sunny profiles. The three above are the driest-and-warmest fallback.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Matsue?
Matsue doesn't have a month that clearly matches our sunny profiles. The practical travel window centres on December (driest, ~94 mm / 3.7 in) and August (warmest, 26.8°C / 80.2°F). Because these are point values at the city, they can differ substantially from Japan's national average.
When is the rainy season in Matsue?
The rainy season at Matsue, Shimane Prefecture runs through June–October, when monthly rainfall exceeds the annual median of about 112 mm / 4.4 in. The wettest single month is September (198 mm / 7.8 in).
What is the driest month in Matsue?
The driest month in Matsue is December, averaging about 94 mm / 3.7 in of rainfall. Temperature that month averages 6.7°C / 44.1°F.
What months should I avoid visiting Matsue?
The least comfortable months for travel to Matsue — based on point-value climate at the city — are January, February, March, June, July, September, December. These are the wettest or coolest months at this location. Rainfall peaks at 198 mm / 7.8 in in September, and the coldest month averages 4.1°C / 39.4°F.
Is Matsue climate different from Japan overall?
Yes, usually. Our Matsue figures are point-value climate normals sampled at the city itself, while our Japan figures are area-weighted averages across the whole country. The two can diverge substantially in geographically diverse or elevation-varied countries. The month-by-month table below reflects Matsue specifically — usually the more actionable data for a traveller planning to spend time in the city.